Law

Finding the right words: giving clients bad news is never easy, but delivering it properly can avoid a disaster for all

Article Abstract:

Management experts suggest several approaches to giving clients bad news, but most emphasize quick, personal communication from the senior lawyer involved. Early groundwork includes preparing clients for all outcomes, including the worst, though without undue emphasis on the negative. One five-step plan calls for a review of the matter, an explanation of the bad news, getting a reaction, joint problem-solving, and agreeing on how to proceed. The delivery should be free of jargon and tailored to the client.

Planning, Practice of law, Business communication, Attorney and client

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A rise through the fall; labor, business and real estate practices will stay hot

Article Abstract:

Real estate will be the most popular legal specialty in 1999, and the continued low interest rates mean this will probably continue. Both new home building, sales of existing homes, and commercial real estate sales have been doing very well. The healthy real estate market has been affecting the related legal specialties of environmental and tax law. Employment law also remained busy in 1998, boosted by the Supreme Court rulings on workplace discrimination and harassment.

If that rainy day never comes .... : emergency fund can also function as a long-term asset

Article Abstract:

Attorneys should wisely invest their emergency reserve cash funds. Such reserves, usually equal to six months' income, often are kept in low-paying accounts for liquidity purposes. However, stocks and mutual funds are also quite liquid and can produce far higher returns than checking or passbook accounts. A higher income person may not need the traditional type of emergency reserve fund and should view such money as a longer-term investment.